NPRE researchers to validate computer coding for nuclear power plant operations
9/1/2016
Assistant Profs. Caleb Brooks and Tomasz Kozlowski will work with NPRE alumni, Ling Zou, a scientist at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Brian Golchert of Westinghouse Electric Co., on the $800,000, three-year project.
Simulating nuclear reactor systems is complicated because of the wide range of system conditions and associated physics. Also, codes must take into account regulatory demands in justifying safe operations and shutdowns of nuclear power plants. The challenges create a need for a considerable amount of validation data under varying conditions and configurations.
Brooks will conduct experiments and produce data using his newly established Multiphase Thermo-fluid Dynamics Laboratory, housed on campus in Talbot Laboratory. Kozlowski will run the simulations. “Validation is the process of comparing the experimental data with the simulation results,” Brooks said.
“We have a new facility that can simulate a reactor channel under natural circulation cooling,” Brooks said of the new lab. “(The facility) is equipped with detailed instrumentation for measuring the heat transfer and fluid flow required for a comprehensive code validation.”